Vehicle door lock device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle door lock device capable of preventing a door from being unlatched due to the deformation of the door caused by the collision load input.SOLUTION: A vehicle door lock device 1 includes: a connection part 30a connected to the top of a handle base 11 at one end; an engagement part 30g that is capable of engaging with a lever 25 of a latch mechanism 20 at the other end; a rod 30 that moves downward to transmit the operation of the outer handle 12 to lever 25; and an opposite part 20 that opposes the first direction where the outer panel 4 and the inner panel 5 are facing each other with respect to the handle base 11. The rod 30 has an engaged part 30d extending in the first direction. The opposite part 20 has a movement control part 41 that extends in a first direction below the engaged part 30d and is provided at a position corresponding to the engaged part 30d in plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door lock device. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle door lock device is provided on a vehicle door. The vehicle door lock device comprises a handle mechanism including an outer handle and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a fork that engages and disengages with a striker on the vehicle body, and a claw lever. The latch mechanism is switched from a latched state to an unlatched state by an occupant operating the outer handle. In the latched state, the claw lever holds the fork in a position where it is engaged with the striker. In the unlatched state, the claw lever releases the hold of the fork, and the fork disengages from the striker. Unlatching allows the door to be opened.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that in the event of a collision, the inertia acting on the vehicle can cause the outer handle to move in the same way as when an occupant operates the door, that is, move outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the door. This movement can cause the latch to be released.

[0004] The vehicle door lock device described in Patent Document 1 includes a stopper member that prevents the movement of the rod that transmits the movement of the outer handle to the latch mechanism when inertia acts on the vehicle during a collision. This stopper member is intended to prevent the latch from being released due to the movement of the outer handle caused by inertia during a collision. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-108733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a collision, particularly a side collision, the door is deformed by the input of a collision load. The vehicle door lock device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of preventing the latch from being released due to such door deformation.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle door lock device that can prevent the latch from being released due to deformation of the door caused by the input of a collision load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle door lock device comprising: a handle mechanism including a handle base arranged inside an outer panel of a vehicle door and an outer handle movably held on the handle base; a latch mechanism including a lever for releasing the latch; a rod having a connection portion connected to an upper portion of the handle base at one end and an engagement portion engageable with the lever at the other end, the rod transmitting the movement of the outer handle to the lever by moving downward; and an opposing portion facing a first direction in which the outer panel and the inner panel of the door face each other relative to the handle base, the rod having an engaged portion extending in the first direction, the opposing portion extending in the first direction below the engaged portion, and a movement restricting portion provided at a position corresponding to the engaged portion in a planar view.

[0009] During a collision, particularly a side collision, the outer panel of the door is deformed by the input of a collision load. At this time, the outer panel may deform so that the upper part of the handle base approaches the inner panel and rotates downward. With the above-described configuration, the rod moves along with the handle base, but the engaged portion abuts against and engages with the movement restricting portion from above. Even if the upper part of the handle base attempts to rotate downward, the movement restricting portion prevents the rod from rotating downward. As a result, the latch release caused by deformation of the outer panel due to the input of a collision load can be prevented.

[0010] The movement restricting portion may be, in a planar view, partially overlapping with the engaged portion in the first direction or spaced apart from the engaged portion in the first direction, and may be provided at a position corresponding to the opposing portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the engaged portion and the movement restricting portion partially overlap or are separated in the first direction, so that the up and down movement of the rod under normal conditions is not inhibited by the movement restricting portion. Because the engaged portion and the movement restricting portion are disposed at corresponding positions in the second direction, when the upper portion of the handle base and the rod are displaced in the first direction due to a collision load, a state in which the rod and the movement restricting portion overlap in a plan view is easily created. Therefore, downward movement of the rod can be inhibited in the event of a collision.

[0012] The movement restricting portion may have a first inclined surface that slopes upward as it approaches the opposing portion in the first direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, after the engaged portion abuts against the movement restricting portion from above, the rod can be moved upward as the handle base and the rod move in the first direction, which makes it easier to prevent the latch from being released.

[0014] The engaged portion may be inclined in a direction along the first inclined surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the engaged portion and the first inclined surface extend in the same direction, so when the engaged portion abuts against the first inclined surface from above, the engaged portion comes into line contact with the movement restricting portion. Compared to the case of point contact, the first inclined surface is more likely to support the force that moves the rod downward, making it easier to push the rod upward. This makes it easier to prevent the latch from being released.

[0016] The rod may have a first portion extending from the connection portion toward the opposing portion in the first direction, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion, and the engaged portion may extend from the lower end of the second portion toward the handle base in the first direction.

[0017] According to the above configuration, since most of the rod is disposed in the area where the latch mechanism and the handle base are disposed (for example, the rear part of the door), the vehicle door lock device can be easily assembled.

[0018] The latch mechanism may include the opposing portion.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the latch mechanism also serves as the opposing portion, so that an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0020] The latch mechanism may have a base portion and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion in the first direction, and the movement restricting portion may protrude from the protruding portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] The latch mechanism may have a second inclined surface that connects the end face of the protrusion and the end face of the movement regulating portion and inclines toward the opposing portion in the first direction as it moves from the protrusion toward the movement regulating portion in the second direction.

[0022] According to the above configuration, even when the upper part of the handle base moves in the second direction due to a collision load input, the rod can be brought into contact with the second inclined surface and the engaged part can be guided to the movement restricting part. This makes it easier to engage the engaged part with the movement restricting part. This makes it even easier to prevent the latch from being released. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The vehicle door lock device according to the present invention can prevent the latch from being released due to deformation of the door caused by the input of a collision load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of a side door of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a side door of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle door lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 . [Figure 5] A view of the steering mechanism and rod from the inside of the vehicle width direction. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door lock device. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle door lock device. [Figure 10] 2 is a view of the vehicle door lock device as seen from above in the vehicle height direction. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a view of a vehicle door lock device as seen from the front side in the vehicle length direction; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the X, Y, and Z directions respectively indicate the vehicle length, width, and height directions.

[0026] 1 and 2, a vehicle door lock device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a vehicle door 2, constitutes a door structure 3. In this embodiment, the door 2 is a rear side door. The present invention can also be applied to vehicle doors other than rear side doors.

[0027] The door 2 includes an outer panel 4, an inner panel 5, and an end panel 6. The outer panel 4 and the inner panel 5 face each other in the vehicle width direction (first direction). The outer panel 4, the inner panel 5, and the end panel 6 of the door 2 define a closed space 7 (see also Figures 3 and 4). In the following description, the terms "inside" and "outside" may be used to refer to the surfaces of the outer panel 4, the inner panel 5, and the end panel 6 that face the closed space 7, and "outside" to refer to the surfaces opposite the closed space 7.

[0028] 2 to 4, the vehicle door lock device 1 includes a handle mechanism 10, a latch mechanism 20, and a rod 30, and is disposed on the rear side of the door 2 in the vehicle length direction.

[0029] 1 to 3, the handle mechanism 10 includes a handle base 11 disposed inside the outer panel 4 (inside the closed space 7) and an outer handle 12 disposed outside the outer panel 4. Both the handle base 11 and the outer handle 12 are disposed along the vehicle length direction.

[0030] 5, the outer handle 12 is movably held by the handle base 11. That is, a first end 12a of the outer handle 12 protruding from the front side in the vehicle length direction (second direction) penetrates the outer panel 4 and is rotatably supported by the handle base 11, and a second end 12b of the outer handle 12 protruding from the rear side in the vehicle length direction also penetrates the outer panel 4 and is supported by the handle base 11 so as to be movable forward and backward in the vehicle width direction. Normally, when the occupant rotates the outer handle 12 outward in the vehicle width direction (door opening operation), the latch mechanism 20 switches from a latched state to an unlatched state, and the door 2 can be opened.

[0031] 5 and 8, the handle base 11 is provided with a support shaft 16 on the rear side in the vehicle length direction and on the upper side in the vehicle length direction. A lever arm 14 equipped with a counterweight 13 is rotatably supported on this support shaft 16. A held portion (connection portion) 30a of a rod 30 is inserted into a rod holding portion 14a at the upper end of the lever arm 14 and is held in a rotatable state.

[0032] The lever arm 14 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 8 in response to movement of the second end 12b of the outer handle 12 during the door-opening operation. This rotation causes the rod holding portion 14a to move downward in the vehicle height direction, which in turn causes the rod 30 to descend downward in the vehicle height direction. When the rod 30 descends, a crank-shaped portion 30g (described below) provided on the rod 30 pushes down an open lever 25 (described below) provided on the latch mechanism 20, causing it to rotate downward. As a result, the latch mechanism 20 switches from a latched state to an unlatched state. A coil spring 15 (torsion spring) that elastically biases the lever arm 14 is attached to the support shaft 16. As shown in FIG. 8, the counterweight 13 and the coil spring 15 bias the lever arm 14 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A2 (opposite to the arrow A1 described above), i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction in which the latch mechanism 20 switches to the unlatched state.

[0033] 3, 4, and 8 to 11, the latch mechanism 20 is disposed inside the inner panel 5 (inside the closed space 7). The latch mechanism 20 includes a base portion 21 and a protruding portion 22. The base portion 21 is disposed so as to extend in the vehicle length direction along the inside of the inner panel 5. The protruding portion 22 protrudes in the vehicle width direction from a rear portion of the base portion 21 in the vehicle length direction toward the outer panel 4. The protruding portion 21 is disposed along the inside of the end panel 6. The base portion 21 and the protruding portion 22 are formed by a casing 23 having a split structure.

[0034] The protruding portion 22 accommodates a fork 24 (shown only in FIG. 8) that engages with and disengages from a striker on the vehicle body, and a claw lever (not shown).

[0035] The base portion 21 is provided with an open lever 25 for releasing the latch. The base portion 21 also houses a mechanism (not shown) including elements such as a link and a motor for switching the latch mechanism 20 between an unlocked state and a locked state. Normally, if the latch mechanism 20 is in the unlocked state, when the open lever 25 is pushed down by operating the outer handle 12, the latch mechanism 20 switches to the latched state (a state in which the claw lever holds the fork 24 in a position where it engages with the striker). On the other hand, if the latch mechanism 20 is in the locked state, the latch mechanism does not switch from the latched state to the unlatched state even if the open lever 25 is pushed down by operating the outer handle 12.

[0036] The rod 30 in this embodiment is a steel round bar having a diameter of 4.0 to 6.0 mm that is bent into a shape that will be described later.

[0037] 8, the rod 30 transmits the operation of the outer handle 12 of the handle mechanism 10 to the open lever 25 of the latch mechanism 20. Specifically, under normal circumstances, when the outer handle 12 is operated to open the door, the rod 30 moves downward in the vehicle width direction as the lever arm 14 of the handle mechanism 10 rotates in the direction of arrow A1, and the crank-shaped portion 30g presses down the open lever 25.

[0038] 5 and 8, as already explained in relation to the handle mechanism 10 and the latch mechanism 20, the lever arm 14 is rotatably supported on the upper side of the handle base 11 in the vehicle height direction, and the held portion (connection portion) 30a of the rod 30 is held by the rod holding portion 14a provided at the upper end of the lever arm 14. That is, in this embodiment, one end of the rod 30 is connected via the lever arm 14 to the upper portion of the handle base 11 in the vehicle height direction.

[0039] Hereinafter, details of the rod 30 and the positional relationship between the rod 30 and the latch mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] Rod 30 includes a held portion (connection portion) 30a, a first portion 30b, a second portion 30c, an engaged portion 30d, a hanging portion 30e, a spindle crank-shaped portion (engagement portion) 30g, and an insertion portion 30k. Rod 30 has held portion 30a at one end and crank-shaped portion 30g and insertion portion 30k at the other end.

[0041] As clearly shown in Figures 8 to 11, the held portion 30a extends linearly in the vehicle length direction and is inserted into the rod holding portion 14a of the lever arm 14 from the rear side in the vehicle length direction. The held portion 30a is rotatably held by the rod holding portion 14a and extends rearward from the rod holding portion 14a. The first portion 30b is connected to the front end of the held portion 30a in the vehicle length direction. The first portion 30a extends linearly from the held portion 30a in the vehicle width direction toward the latch mechanism 20, and the second portion 30b is connected to the inner end of the first portion 30a in the vehicle width direction. The second portion 30c extends downward from the first portion 30b.

[0042] The engaged portion 30d is connected to the lower end of the second portion 30c. The engaged portion 30d extends along the vehicle width direction. The engaged portion 30d is inclined downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] Hanging portion 30e extends downward from the outer end of engaged portion 30d in the vehicle width direction. Crank-shaped portion 30g is connected to the lower end of hanging portion 30e, and insertion portion 30k is connected to the lower end of crank-shaped portion 30g. Crank-shaped portion 30g includes upper portion 30h, central portion 30i, and lower portion 30j. Upper portion 30h extends from hanging portion 30f toward inner panel 5 while slanting downward. Central portion 30i extends downward from upper portion 30h. Lower portion 30j extends rearward from central portion 30i while slanting toward outer panel 5. As can be seen from FIG. 8 , when rod 30 moves downward, crank-shaped portion 30g (specifically, lower portion 30j) presses down and rotates open lever 25 of latch mechanism 20. The insertion portion 30k extends linearly downward from the lower portion 30j of the crank-shaped portion 30g. The insertion portion 30k is inserted into the open lever 25 so that the rod 30 can move up and down relative to the open lever 25.

[0044] On the other hand, the latch mechanism 20 according to this embodiment faces the handle base 11 in the vehicle width direction and is an example of a facing portion of the present invention. The latch mechanism 20 cooperates with the rod 30 to prevent undesired unlatching of the latch mechanism 20 in the event of a collision.

[0045] The latch mechanism 20 has the aforementioned base portion 21, the protruding portion 22 protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear portion of the base portion 21, and a movement restricting portion 41. The movement restricting portion 41 is realized by a portion that bulges outward in the vehicle length direction from the protruding portion 21.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 11, the upper surface of the movement restricting portion 41 forms a first inclined surface 41a. The first inclined surface 41a is inclined downward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction. The engaged portion 30d of the rod 30 is inclined in a direction along this first inclined surface 41a. Furthermore, under normal circumstances, the engaged portion 30d is located above the first inclined surface 41a.

[0047] 10 and 11, the movement restricting portion 41, particularly the first inclined surface 41a, is provided at a position corresponding to the engaged portion 30d of the rod 30 in a plan view. More specifically, the first inclined surface 41a is disposed at a position corresponding to (substantially the same position as) the engaged portion 30d in the vehicle length direction. The first inclined surface 41a only partially overlaps with the engaged portion 30d in the vehicle width direction, or is spaced apart from the engaged portion 30d in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] The upper surface (first inclined surface 41a) of the movement restricting portion 41 is located lower than the upper surfaces of the protrusion 22 and the base portion 21. Therefore, a first blocking surface 41b is provided between the upper surface of the base portion 21 and the movement restricting portion 41, and the first blocking surface 41b is formed by a portion of the outer end surface of the base portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, a second blocking surface 41c is provided between the upper surface of the protrusion 22 and the movement restricting portion 41, and the second blocking surface 41c is formed by a portion of the front end surface of the protrusion 22 in the vehicle length direction. The second blocking surface 41c is located further forward in the vehicle length direction than the outer end of the protrusion 22 in the vehicle width direction. The latch mechanism 20 has a second inclined surface 41d that connects the end of the protrusion 22 to the second blocking surface. The second inclined surface 41d is inclined so that it slopes more inward in the vehicle width direction and more forward in the vehicle length direction.

[0049] (Behavior of vehicle door locking devices during collisions) If the rod 30 and the latch mechanism 20 are not configured as described above, the vehicle door lock device 1 will behave as follows in the event of a collision, particularly a side collision.

[0050] The input of a collision load deforms the outer panel 4 of the door 2. Depending on the design of the door 2, such as the length of the door 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, or the vehicle weight, the input of the collision load may deform the outer panel 4 such that the upper part of the handle base 11 rotates downward while approaching the inner panel 5, as conceptually shown by arrow B in FIG. 3. When the upper part of the handle base 11 rotates as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3, the rod 30 moves downward and the open lever 25 is pushed down. As a result, the latch mechanism 20 may switch from a latched state to an unlatched state, potentially opening the door 2. Furthermore, the rear part of the outer panel 4 may deform such that the upper part of the handle base 11, which is located at the rear of the door 2, moves rearward.

[0051] In contrast, in the vehicle door lock device 1 of this embodiment, when the outer panel 4 begins to deform due to the input of a collision load, the engaged portion 30d of the rod 30 moves inward in the vehicle width direction, is positioned above the first inclined surface 41a, and then moves downward. As a result, the engaged portion 30d abuts against the first inclined surface 41c from above. Because the engaged portion 30c and the first inclined surface 41c extend in the same direction, the engaged portion 30c makes line contact with the first inclined surface 41c. Therefore, the collision load is supported over a wide range in the vehicle width direction by the first inclined surface 41c via the engaged portion 30c.

[0052] The first inclined surface 41a is inclined upward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the more the rod 30 moves toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, the more the engaged portion 30d is guided upward, preventing downward rotation. As a result, the rod 30 is prevented from pushing down the open lever 25. As a result, it is possible to prevent the latch mechanism 20 from being unlatched due to deformation of the outer panel 4 caused by the input of a collision load.

[0053] As the rod 30 moves inward in the vehicle width direction, the second portion 30d comes into line contact with the first blocking surface 41b, thereby inhibiting its movement in the vehicle width direction. When a collision begins, the rod 30 attempts to move rearward, but the engaged portion 30d abuts against the second inclined surface 41d. Because the second inclined surface 41d is inclined forward toward the inside of the vehicle width direction, the more the rod 30 attempts to move inward in the vehicle width direction, the more the engaged portion 30d is guided forward, inhibiting its rearward movement. This ensures that the engaged portion 30d abuts against the first inclined surface 41a. Furthermore, when the rod 30 abuts against the first inclined surface 41a and is no longer in contact with the second inclined surface 41d, a rearward load may be applied to the rod 30. In this case, the first portion 30a comes into line contact with the second blocking surface 41b, inhibiting the rod's rearward movement. This allows the non-engaged portion 30d to remain engaged with the first inclined surface 41a.

[0054] The engaged portion 30d of the rod 30 extends in the vehicle width direction, and a crank-shaped portion 30g and an insertion portion 30k are provided at the end of the engaged portion 30d via a hanging portion 30e. Therefore, most of the rod 30 is disposed on the rear side of the door 2. This rearward arrangement of the rod 30 prevents the rod 30 from interfering with the latch mechanism 20 when the latch mechanism 20 is brought into the closed space 7 through the service hole 5a (see FIG. 2) of the inner panel 5 during assembly of the vehicle door lock device 1. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the vehicle door lock device 1 can be ensured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Vehicle door lock device 2-door 3-door structure 4 Outer panel 5 Inner panel 5a Service Hall 6 End Panel 7 Closed space 10 Handle mechanism 11 Handle base 12 Outer handle 12a First end 12b Second end 13 Counterweight 14 Lever arm 14a Rod holding part 15 coil spring 16 Support shaft 20 Latch mechanism (opposing part) 21 Base 21a Inside surface 22 Protrusion 23 Casing 24 Fork 25 Open lever (lever) 30 rods 30a Holded part (connection part) 30b Part 1 30c 2nd part 30d Engaged part 30e hanging part 30g Crank-shaped part (engagement part) 30k socket 41 Movement Control Department 41a 1st slope 41b 1st blocking surface 41c 2nd blocking surface 41d 2nd slope

Claims

1. a handle mechanism including a handle base disposed inside an outer panel of a vehicle door and an outer handle movably held by the handle base; a latch mechanism having a lever for releasing the latch; a rod having a connection portion connected to an upper portion of the handle base at one end and an engagement portion engageable with the lever at the other end, the rod moving downward to transmit the motion of the outer handle to the lever; a facing portion facing the handle base in a first direction, which is a direction in which the outer panel and the inner panel of the door face each other with respect to the handle base; Equipped with the rod has an engaged portion extending in the first direction, the opposing portion extends in the first direction below the engaged portion and has a movement restricting portion provided at a position corresponding to the engaged portion in a plan view; A vehicle door lock device.

2. the movement restricting portion is provided at a position that partially overlaps with the engaged portion in the first direction or is spaced apart from the engaged portion in the first direction in a plan view, and corresponds to the opposing portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; 2. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1.

3. the movement restricting portion has a first inclined surface that slopes upward as it approaches the opposing portion in the first direction; 3. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The engaged portion is inclined in a direction along the first inclined surface.

4. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 3.

5. the rod has a first portion extending from the connecting portion toward the opposing portion in the first direction, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion, and the engaged portion extends from a lower end of the second portion toward the handle base in the first direction; The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The latch mechanism includes the opposing portion. The vehicle door lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the latch mechanism has a base portion and a protruding portion protruding from the base portion in the first direction, and the movement restricting portion protruding from the protruding portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; 7. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 6.

8. the latch mechanism has a second inclined surface that connects an end surface of the protruding portion and an end surface of the movement restricting portion, and that inclines toward the opposing portion in the first direction as it moves from the protruding portion toward the movement restricting portion in the second direction.

8. The vehicle door lock device according to claim 7.

Images